SEMICON Taiwan 2025: Where the World Meets, Innovation Takes Flight

Taiwan's Semiconductor Equipment Investment to Reach USD 27.9 Billion in 2025 — Nearly 70% Growth Driven by Supply Chain Collaboration and Global Industry Upgrades

The world's most influential annual semiconductor event, SEMICON Taiwan 2025, is set to open this week. On September 8, SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) hosted the SEMICON Taiwan 2025 Pre-Show Press Conference, bringing together leaders from across industry, government, and academia.

Key speakers included Terry Tsao, SEMI Global Chief Marketing Officer and President of SEMI Taiwan; Tien Wu, SEMI Global Board Executive Committee Chairman and CEO of ASE Technology Holding; Doris Hsu, SEMI Global Board Director and Chairman/CEO of Global Wafers Co.; Chih-Da Kuo, Dean of the College of Key Technologies at National Taiwan University and CEO of the Chip Taiwan Program; and Rui-Yu Tseng, Senior Director of SEMI Industry Research.

Together, they shared forward-looking insights on how supply chain collaboration is fueling semiconductor innovation and shaping the future of the global industry.

▲ The SEMICON Taiwan 2025 Pre-Show Press Conference was held on September 8, where leaders from industry, government, and academia gathered to unveil key data and share insights on the semiconductor sector. (Photo By: SEMI)

This year, the event has been fully upgraded into the International Semiconductor Week, under the theme: “Leading with Collaboration. Innovating with the World.” The theme reflects the global trend of industry transformation, highlighting collaboration as the core driving force and fostering innovation together with international ecosystem partners to shape the next 30 years of semiconductor breakthroughs.

The exhibition will feature over 25 international forums and 13 key technology topics, creating a comprehensive exchange platform for the global semiconductor ecosystem. Industry leaders will share their perspectives on worldwide semiconductor trends and market strategies under the wave of AI, while also revealing critical industry data.

Taiwan’s USD 27.9 Billion Investment Surges Amid the Global AI Boom

According to the latest SEMI research, AI is rapidly expanding from the cloud to the edge and end devices, driving soaring demand for real-time local computing. Capital expenditures by the top four cloud service providers are projected to grow from USD 21.2 billion in 2024 to USD 31.0 billion in 2025. Investments in AI/HPC equipment are expected to account for 40% of global semiconductor equipment spending in 2025, surpassing 55% by 2030.

Fueled by this wave of investment, the global semiconductor equipment market is forecasted to grow 7.4%, reaching USD 125 billion in 2025 — a historic high — and further climbing above USD 138 billion in 2026.

From a regional perspective, Taiwan’s semiconductor equipment investment is set to reach USD 27.9 billion in 2025, a nearly 70% year-on-year increase, the strongest growth among major regions. Korea follows with USD 24.9 billion (up 22%), while China is expected to moderate at USD 41.1 billion. Taiwan's remarkable surge underscores its pivotal role in powering the next wave of semiconductor industry growth.

▲ Rui-Yu Tseng, Senior Director of SEMI Industry Research, presented key industry data, highlighting that Taiwan's semiconductor equipment investment is projected to reach USD 27.9 billion in 2025 — nearly 70% year-on-year growth. (Photo By: SEMI)

SEMI Drives Global Collaboration with New Alliances and Standards

SEMI is reshaping the semiconductor industry from supply chains to ecosystem collaboration. At SEMICON Taiwan 2025, SEMI will launch the 3DIC Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (3DICAMA) and roll out certification for SEMI E187, the world's first semiconductor equipment cybersecurity standard. These initiatives showcase Taiwan’s growing leadership in setting global standards and building cross-industry partnerships.

▲ Terry Tsao, SEMI Global CMO and President of SEMI Taiwan, highlighted the SEMICON Taiwan 2025 theme “Leading with Collaboration. Innovating with the World,” emphasizing collaboration as the driving force for the industry's future. (Photo By: SEMI)

Strong Investment Confidence Driven by AI Opportunities

At SEMICON Taiwan 2025, industry leaders highlighted Taiwan's pivotal role in the global semiconductor value chain. Dr. Tien Wu (ASE) noted that semiconductor revenue will exceed USD 1 trillion in the next decade, urging Taiwan to leverage its advanced technologies and complete ecosystem to stay competitive. Doris Hsu (Global Wafers) added that AI demand is the strongest among all applications, positioning Taiwan as a key hub in global supply chain collaboration.

▲ Dr. Tien Wu, Chairman of SEMI’s Global Board Executive Committee and CEO of ASE Technology Holding, emphasized that Taiwan is strengthening its global competitiveness with a complete semiconductor ecosystem and advanced process technologies for AI and data centers. (Photo By: SEMI)

▲ Doris Hsu, SEMI Global Board Director and Chairman/CEO of Global Wafers Co., highlighted that AI is the clear front-runner, with Taiwan’s semiconductor industry showing a distinct advantage in supply chain collaboration. (Photo By: SEMI)

“Chip Taiwan” Policy Aligns with Industry, Talent Development Takes Shape

The government's Chip Taiwan initiative is designed to strengthen Taiwan's role in global semiconductor leadership, marking a shift from manufacturing to innovation. Professor Chih-Da Kuo (NTU, Chip Taiwan Program Office) noted that the policy directly addresses challenges such as global competition, supply chain transformation, and technological innovation.

On the talent front, collaboration between academia and industry is beginning to bear fruit. The SEMI 20 Under 40 Award this year honored 24 rising professionals under 40, showcasing Taiwan's talent depth. Professor Kuo, serving as a judge, highlighted that aligning policy with industry needs is laying a strong foundation for Taiwan's competitiveness in the AI era.

▲ Professor Chih-Da Kuo, Dean of the College of Key Technologies at National Taiwan University and Advisor to the Chip Taiwan Program Office, stated that the Chip Taiwan initiative will position Taiwan as a key force in leading global semiconductor development.

Silicon Startups Zone Debuts at SEMICON Taiwan 2025, Driving Innovation and Ecosystem Collaboration

SEMICON Taiwan 2025 will feature over 200 global speakers across three days of forums, including CEO panels, memory summits, and deep-tech sessions. For the first time, the exhibition introduces the Silicon Startups Zone, co-organized with the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC), highlighting cutting-edge technologies such as 5G/6G communications, post-quantum encryption, AI silicon photonics, SiC power devices, Wi-Fi7 RF integration, and wireless charging.

The zone connects Taiwan's complete semiconductor supply chain, promoting international investment, technology collaboration, and market expansion, reflecting the event’s theme “Leading with Collaboration. Innovating with the World.”

Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem spans upstream equipment and materials, midstream manufacturing, and downstream applications, making it an indispensable hub in the global supply chain. With USD 27.9 billion in projected investment, Taiwan's central role is further strengthened, while SEMICON Taiwan continues to serve as a key platform for global semiconductor collaboration and innovation.

Source of Information: Twlo TA